2023 ocean photographer of the year

Nov 21, 2023 By Admin in Photography

Finalist, wildlife: Henley Spiers

In early autumn, vast sardine shoals surround the rocks at Los Islotes. This bounty attracts seabird predators. As we dived amid the shoal, the peace was occasionally shattered by the loud crashes of pelicans, cormorants and boobies hurtling under water in pursuit of a meal. Most of the time, the action is so swift that by the time you turn to see it, the bird is already back at the surface. I finally captured the elusive shot of a blue-footed booby rising up with a sardine in its beak. Los Islotes, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Photograph: Henley Spiers

Chehalis artist explores cultural appropriation of Native costumes

Nov 21, 2023 By Admin in Native

Seattle Indian Health Board to open Native-led substance use treatment center

Nov 21, 2023 By Admin in Native

Photographer Tim Soter Chronicles DFA’s Heyday In New Book

Nov 21, 2023 By Admin in Photography

Tim Soter had a bird’s eye view of the rise of beloved New York dance/rock label DFA in the early 2000s, and his photographs from the era have now been compiled in the aptly titled book DFA Records: The Early Years, which is available for pre-order ahead of a Dec. 8 ship date.

Packed with 111 color and 35 black-and-white photos, the 160-page volume chronicles the influential DFA, which was founded in 2001 by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, Mo’ Wax co-founder Tim Goldsworthy, and Jonathan Galkin. Among the acts associated with the label were the Rapture, whose members sat for a new interview for The Early Years, Black Dice, the Juan Maclean, and, of course, LCD Soundsystem, which dominated the New York music scene for the better part of the 2000s.

Currently a photography professor at Fashion Institute of Technology, Soter was the house photographer for New York nightlife spot Twilo, and in 2003 reached out to Galkin via Hotmail to ask about shooting the DFA roster. For the next several years, he was omnipresent at DFA shows in venues such as Bowery Ballroom, Roseland, Tonic, and Volume Club, as well as private lofts across the five boroughs.

“It was a different era back then,” Soter tells SPIN. “People were approachable, New York felt intimate, and everyone had a unique role to play. Many times I found myself as the sole photographer in the room. Looking back, it was a luxury to stop by the DFA office/studio, drop off some film, stay for an espresso, and listen to tracks. Now that I make books, I was excited to pull together all of those photos I shot and recount the vibe of that turn of the century downtown NYC music scene, either for the newer fans, those who were there, or even the most devoted LCD or Rapture fans and enthusiasts of the label.”

^{The Rapture at New York’s Roseland Ballroom on Oct. 24, 2003 (photo: Tim Soter).}

All book orders placed before Jan. 1 will include a free 4×6” print of Murphy and Goldsworthy. And although The Early Years is a look back in time, there’s new DFA-related music on the horizon. SPIN can confirm that LCD Soundsystem is hard at work on its first studio album since its 2017 comeback project American Dream, which itself was the band’s first release in seven years.

Murphy and company are in the midst of their annual New York residency, which this year expanded from its regular home at Brooklyn Steel to include shows at Terminal 5 in Manhattan and Knockdown Center in Queens. LCD has been featuring a cover of Harry Nilsson’s “Jump Into the Fire” at the gigs after initially reviving it for the first time in 11 years at DFA’s 20th anniversary party on March 26, 2022.

Brelyon Unveils State-of-the-Art Immersive Display Showcase in Kyoto

Nov 21, 2023 By Admin in Art World News

KYOTO, Japan, Nov. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Brelyon, a leading immersive display company, announces the opening of its latest showcase site at 34 Sujakuhozocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8846, Japan, in collaboration with Monozukuri Ventures.

Located in the heart of Kyoto, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and technological advancements, the new showcase site right above AM Labs & FabKyoto, next to Umekoji Market represents a significant milestone for Brelyon as it expands its international presence. The collaboration with Monozukuri Ventures, a key player in fostering innovation in the Japan ecosystem, further emphasizes Brelyon’s commitment to excellence in immersive display technology.

The showcase site in Kyoto is designed to provide visitors with a captivating and interactive experience, allowing them to explore the cutting-edge advancements in immersive displays. With a focus on innovation and Monozukuri, the Japanese spirit of craftsmanship, the showcase site aims to demonstrate the seamless integration of technology and artistry.

“We are thrilled to unveil our showcase site in Kyoto, a city known for its rich history and commitment to craftsmanship,” said Barmak Heshmat, CEO of Brelyon. “This collaboration with Monozukuri Ventures is a testament to our dedication to providing innovative and immersive experiences in Japan and Asia Pacific market.”

“Monozukuri Ventures is excited to join forces with Brelyon in bringing cutting-edge immersive display technology to Kyoto,” said Narimasa Makino, CEO of Monozukuri Ventures. “This collaboration aligns with our mission to support innovative endeavors that celebrate the marriage of tradition and technology.”

About Brelyon:
Headquartered in San Mateo, CA, Brelyon is a pioneer in hardware and software technologies for headset-free immersive experiences. Helmed by a founding team of scientists and industry executives from MIT, UCF, DARPA and IMAX, Brelyon has developed the world’s first no-headset display technology with monocular depth. For more information about Brelyon and its virtual display solutions, please visit www.brelyon.com.

About Monozukuri Ventures:
Monozukuri Ventures (abbreviated as MZV), based in Kyoto and New York, manages venture investment funds for hardware startups and provides technical consulting on hardware prototyping and manufacturing. MZV launched the first Fund in the summer of 2017 and the second in 2021. MZV has invested in a total of 57 hardware startups (26 in Japan, 30 in the US, and 1 in Singapore). MZV also provides technical consulting services based on the knowledge and network from prototyping to mass production. MZV has supported more than 190 manufacturing projects, mainly startups. (All figures are as of March 31, 2023)

SOURCE Brelyon

Public invited to Shelter Island art show reception

Nov 21, 2023 By Admin in Printmaking

An exhibit by Island artist Laurie Dolphin will open at the Shelter Island Art House with a reception on Friday, Nov. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. The gallery will also host a discussion with the artist on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 25 and 26, from 3 to 5 p.m. “I feel particularly grateful this…

Vital Impacts

Nov 21, 2023 By Admin in Art World News

Vital Impacts

annual print sale

Shop the collection on Vital Impacts.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Vital Impacts appeared first on Colossal.

The World Press Photo Contest updates rules to exclude AI images

Nov 21, 2023 By Admin in Photography

Defining what constitutes a photograph these days is no easy matter, even for a leading photojournalism organization.

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By Jess Weatherbed, a news writer focused on creative industries, computing, and internet culture. Jess started her career at TechRadar, covering news and hardware reviews.

“Here, The Doors Don’t Know Me” by Mohamed Mahdy, the 2023 winner of the World Press Photo Contest’s Open Format category. — a:hover]:text-black [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-e9 dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray-63 [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-13 dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63″>*“Here, The Doors Don’t Know Me” by Mohamed Mahdy (pictured) was the winning Open Format entry in 2023.*

The World Press Photo Contest has updated its entry rules to exclude submissions for AI-generated imagery, just days after announcing that such images could be entered into its Open Format competition category. The World Press Photo Foundation initially said it would welcome AI-generated submissions — a decision met with immediate backlash from photojournalists who said allowing artificially created images into a contest for photojournalists responsible for documenting real-world events was “anathema to everything our industry does.”

The foundation has since rolled back its new AI submission guidance and updated contest rules to bar AI-generated images from its Open Format category. “Thanks to the honest and thoughtful feedback over the past days, we have decided to change the rules for the Open Format category in our contest to exclude AI generated images,” said the World Press Photo Foundation in a statement published on its website on Monday. “Both generative fill and fully generated images will be prohibited in the Open Format category (as was already the case in the other categories: Singles, Stories and Long-Term Projects).”

AI-generated images have never been eligible for submission to the prestigious World Press Photo of the Year contest.

The rules for image manipulation of photos “made by a lens-based camera” have also been updated to provide greater clarity on what constitutes an AI-generated image. Light changes like denoising, automatic adjustments (for example, on levels, colors, contrast), and object selection are listed as acceptable examples of AI editing tools, the extent of which will be decided by the contest organization and a global jury. Tools based on generative AI models that introduce new information to enlarge and sharpen images, such as Adobe Super Resolution and Topaz Photo AI, are not permitted.

To help clarify what a photograph is in the age of AI, the World Press Photo Foundation has also helped develop a “set of clear ethical standards” alongside photojournalism institutions, visual journalists, and “editors with interest and expertise in the topic.” They’re meant to ensure that photographs are “fair and accurate representations of what the photographer witnessed” and not produced in a way that misleads the public.

AI technology is being increasingly featured in cameras and editing software, so it’s easy to understand why the World Press Photo Foundation is trying to firm up its submission guidelines. Plenty of apps like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom feature AI-assisted editing tools designed to make life easier for photographers by automating boring, labor-intensive tasks like masking objects or refining hair details. And increasingly, AI powers the imaging systems on modern smartphones, with Google’s new Magic Editor and Best Take features used to differentiate the Pixel 8.

With AI so thoroughly embedded in the photography pipeline, the World Press Photo Foundation’s guidelines for defining what level of AI manipulation is permissible for a real photograph is a welcome attempt to place a greater divide between AI “art” and photojournalism.

Here’s how wealthy Indian youngsters are diversifying their investment portfolio to grow their wealth

Nov 21, 2023 By Admin in Native

In the ever-evolving landscape of wealth management, young billionaires are forging their own, distinct path to growing their riches. They are seeking out investment opportunities in alternative avenues that encompass a range of options including real estate, start-ups and passion projects.

Not for them those conventional options of equities and fixed deposits. These individuals are diversifying their investment portfolios across a spectrum of sectors and are exploring opportunities that go beyond traditional products and even national boundaries.

Alok Saigal, President and Head of wealth management firm Nuvama Private, is seeing this change firsthand. He says young ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs)—those whose wealth is valued at over $30 million—have a very different approach to investing compared with their forebears. “They are seeking investment opportunities beyond conventional wealth management products like mutual funds, PMS (portfolio management services), bonds, and stocks. They are also keen on opportunities beyond domestic frontiers and manage currency and geographic risk efficiently—since they consider themselves global citizens,” he says.

Start-ups

One bandwagon appears to be investments in the start-up space. Young start-up founders who have turned billionaires are giving back to the ecosystem that brought them these riches, increasingly deploying their capital and expertise in other start-ups. Entrepreneurs discern the value of diversifying their portfolios. They often seek opportunities that resonate with their industry knowledge, enabling them to harness their insights and networks.

Kunal Shah, the 40-year-old Founder and CEO of fintech company Cred, is one such example. He said at a recent event that he has invested in around 80 fintech start-ups, typically committing an average of $50,000 in each. “I do not have any mutual funds or stocks; my investments are entirely focussed on start-ups as a way to give back. The primary motivation is not financial returns but rather contributing to the advancement of the ecosystem,” he said during a discussion on CNBC-TV18 at the Global Fintech Fest 2023. According to research firm Tracxn, Shah has provided early support to several fintech enterprises, including payments firm Razorpay and crypto asset app CoinSwitch.

Others, too, like the founders of Indian unicorns Zerodha, Paytm, and Zomato, have dabbled with investments in the Indian start-up ecosystem.

Typically, these investments are directed towards early-stage start-ups, often in the seed or Series A stages. “In such scenarios, investors anticipate returns ranging from 2x to as much as 10x of their initial investment within a couple of years. Co-investing with fellow founders or collaboratively establishing their funds is also a prevalent practice,” remarks Saigal.

Passion of the Rich

Increasingly, young billionaires are turning towards non-traditional “passion” investments that comprise collectible assets like fine art, vintage cars, yachts, and wine. These investments, while providing aesthetic and emotional satisfaction, also have the potential to yield impressive returns.

Art, though not a mainstream spending avenue, does interest a segment of young UHNIs.

Nikhil Kamath, the 37-year-old Co-founder of discount stock broker Zerodha and wealth management company True Beacon, believes Indian art will substantially appreciate in the years to come. He is actively researching this segment as an asset class and is particularly optimistic about the potential of acquiring works by acclaimed artists like F.N. Souza, Tyeb Mehta, or S.H. Raza, which he sees as having significant upside.

“Young billionaires enjoy art, and many of them are buying art to enjoy it, while few are looking at it as an investment avenue. But it turns out to be an excellent investment option, and the prices of works of art by Indian artists have gone up as there is a huge demand out there,” says Himanshu Kohli, Co-founder of Client Associates, a Gurugram-based private wealth management firm.

Having said that, in what is perhaps a reflection of their age and social consciousness, impact investing and strategic philanthropy have also joined the conversation. Adds Sapna Narang, Managing Partner at Capital League, a Gurugram-based all-women boutique wealth management firm, “Discussions around impact investing and strategic philanthropy are also on the rise, with some individuals discussing aligning their social and environmental goals with their investment objectives.”

Luxury Villas and more

Of course, not all traditional markers of wealth have been shunned—definitely not real estate. Consider this: Earlier this year, Neha Bagaria, the Founder and CEO of Herkey (formerly JobsForHer), 42, bought an apartment in the upscale Malabar Hill area in Mumbai for a cool Rs 121 crore.

Indeed, real estate consultancy CBRE South Asia says there has been a surge in demand for luxury homes —those that have a price tag of Rs 4 crore and above. It says luxury home sales in India have jumped a remarkable 130 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2023 to 6,900 units from 3,000 in 2022.

“Weekend houses, big villas, farmhouses, or bigger apartments are the big preferences for these UHNIs, as they like working from anywhere. We know a lot of our clients who have bought expensive properties outside India in places like Dubai and London,” says Kohli. He says these upwardly and geographically mobile individuals shuttle between the Delhi-NCR region and Goa and Dubai.

Besides, these wealthy individuals are spreading their bets even among foreign real estate markets. Many factors underpin this trend, including the desire to provide a residence for children studying abroad and prestige. “Overseas homes are also gaining popularity, as they offer diversification and, in some cases, the prospect of acquiring citizenship or residency rights, aligning with the broader trend of global investment diversification in the real estate sector,” says Narang.

For instance, in Portugal, purchasing property priced above a certain threshold or acquiring real estate in Dubai grant individuals the chance to obtain permanent residency in those countries.

Equity markets, too, remain an attraction. “Since these founders are astute individuals, they have a strong inclination to gain exposure to direct secondary market equities. This aligns with their desire for hands-on involvement and control in the selection and management of their investments,” says Saigal. He adds that they’re also showing interest in platforms that facilitate investments in baskets of exchange-traded securities.

Clearly, the young and wealthy have realised post Covid-19 that uncertainty is unavoidable and every day is important, which is reflected in their diverse approaches to investment.

@teena_kaushal

CUEN – Cuentas Unveils State-of-the-Art Disaster-Resilient Buildings in Florida, tapping into a $2.1 Trillion Market to Reshape Real Estate’s Future

Nov 21, 2023 By Admin in Art World News

CUEN – Cuentas Unveils State-of-the-Art Disaster-Resilient Buildings in Florida, tapping into a $2.1 Trillion Market to Reshape Real Estate’s Future

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November 21, 2023 8:30 AM EST

Cuentas Casa, the building division of the company has completed of its first ninety-six-unit multifamily development, utilizing groundbreaking construction technology, marks a significant departure from traditional methods and heralds a new era in building design

Revolutionizing the real estate landscape, Cuentas, Inc. (Nasdaq: CUEN & CUENW) is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking milestone in innovation. The company proudly revealed a state-of-the-art multifamily building using natural disaster-resilient building technology. This cutting-edge development marks CUEN as a leader in pioneering resilient infrastructure, ensuring a safer and more secure future for homeowners in the United States, and demonstrating its steadfast dedication to providing affordable, sustainable, and reliable housing solutions.

MIAMI BEACH, FL, Nov. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cuentas, Inc. (Nasdaq: CUEN & CUENW), the foremost developer of fully integrated cybersecurity, telecommunications, and financial applications for the unbanked and underbanked Hispanic market, has released a management update highlighting the use of a pioneering construction method, reminiscent of interlocking LEGO bricks. This method forms entire structures engineered to withstand natural disasters, boasting top-tier ratings for hurricane and earthquake resistance. This marks the initial phase of Cuentas’ visionary goal to revolutionize housing affordability through innovative construction practices.

In a significant management update, Mr. Arik Maimon, CEO of Cuentas, shared insights into the company’s triumphant foray into real estate investments and the strategic alliance with RENCO. The completion of its inaugural ninety-six-unit multifamily development using revolutionary construction technology represents a departure from traditional methods.

This milestone has garnered extensive media coverage, with a special focus on core products manufactured with naturally occurring raw materials and recycled products in an environmentally friendly process. A video coverage by a leading US news outlet showcases the Lakewood Village project, highlighting its versatility, departure from traditional materials, efficient construction, and cost-effectiveness. A video of the completed project and the use of the technology is available at: Cuentas Real Estate.

Lakewood Village Project

Renco USA, a Florida-based company with nine patents, has developed a state-of-the-art structural building system comprising interlocking composite building units. These units join to form monolithic structures, are cost-effective compared to traditional materials, are self-supporting, lightweight, and environmentally friendly. Cuentas has secured a ten-year agreement to leverage Renco’s technology, solidifying a strategically tight partnership for joint project development. A copy of the announcement can be found here: Cuentas and Renco Supply Agreement

In a significant move, management has invested in a 26-acre property in Tampa, Florida, and is planning a collaborative three hundred sixty-unit complex, branded Cuentas Casa. This investment underscores Cuentas’ commitment to sustainable, environmentally resilient, and durable construction, with a remarkable 63% equity participation in the project.

Mr. Maimon, CEO, emphasized, “The investments in Lakewood Village and our new project in Tampa stand as a testament to our management’s visionary approach and the strategic selection of this groundbreaking building technology. Our commitment to expanding Cuentas into the lucrative rental income real estate sector is bolstered by the cost-effectiveness and rapid construction capabilities of Renco’s technology, ensuring the provision of affordable and quality housing.”

Cuentas continues to excel in delivering strategic technology solutions within sectors that provide essential services to the general public, enhancing people’s lifestyles. This revolutionary leap forward signifies our commitment to redefine the way we envision, construct, and interact with the spaces that shape everyday life.

Looking ahead, Cuentas is poised to seamlessly integrate future resident services, including Cuentas Mobile, Cuentas Fintech, Cuentas Casa, secure financial services, and business and personal cybersecurity applications, creating a holistic and innovative living experience for our residents.
About Cuentas

Cuentas, Inc. (Nasdaq: CUEN & CUENW) is creating an alternative financial ecosystem for the growing global population who do not have access to traditional financial alternatives. The Company’s proprietary technologies help to integrate FinTech (Financial Technology), e-finance and e-commerce services into solutions that deliver next generation digital financial services to the unbanked, under-banked and underserved populations nationally in the USA. The Cuentas Platform integrates Cuentas Mobile, the Company’s Telecommunications solution, with its core financial services offerings to help entire communities enter the modern financial marketplace. Cuentas has launched its General Purpose Reloadable (GPR) Card, which includes a digital wallet, discounts for purchases at major physical and online retailers, rewards, and the ability to purchase digital content. In Q1 of 2023 Cuentas launched Cuentas Casa, an alternative housing development initiative that secured a 10-year supply agreement for a patented, sustainable building system that will provide the bridge between its technology solutions and the affordable housing market. Cuentas has made investments to date in affordable housing projects for over 450 apartments. LINK: https://cuentas.com AND https://cuentasmobile.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined in section 27a of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21e of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements involve substantial uncertainties and risks and are based upon our current expectations, estimates and projections and reflect our beliefs and assumptions based upon information available to us at the date of this release. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, Nasdaq and shareholder approval of the proposed transaction, our ability to manage our research and development programs that are based on novel technologies, our ability to successfully integrate WHEN operations and product offerings, the sufficiency of working capital to realize our business plans and our ability to raise additional capital, market acceptance, the going concern qualification in our financial statements, our ability to retain key employees, our competitors developing better or cheaper alternatives to our products, risks relating to legal proceedings against us and the risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading “RISK FACTORS” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason.

Contack Information:

Arik Maimon

CEO at Cuentas Inc

Cuentas Inc. (NASDAQ: CUEN)

Phone: 800-611-3622

Mobile: 786-774-2835

Web: www.cuentas.com

Email: [email protected]